UMI and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) complete strategic partnership

Universal Materials Incubator Co., Ltd. (UMI), a venture capital firm specializing in the materials and chemical industries, has established a strategic partnership with Foundation for Science, Innovation and Development (FSID) a section 8 company set up by Indian Institute of Science (“IISc”).

UMI has been working to strengthen relationships with overseas entities through the UMI III Investment Limited Partnership (the “UMI III Fund”), which was established in October 2022. India is the third largest country in the world in terms of startups, after the United States and China. As the economy has developed, energy consumption has increased, and environmental pollution has become increasingly serious. In this backdrop, in addition to startups in the IT and AI fields, a large number of startups have appeared in the fields of materials and energy, and this in turn has enabled the global deployment of these technologies in the markets of emerging countries facing similar social issues. In May 2023, UMI invested in EF Polymer Private Limited, a company founded by an Indian national, which develops 100% organic, fully biodegradable superabsorbent polymers to tackle the challenge of farming drought.

UMI decided to build a strategic partnership with IISc, India’s top institution of higher education and also a research institute, to mutually develop Japan’s materials and chemistry industries and the economy and startups in India. In this way, it will promote collaborations with major corporations demonstrating an interest in India’s innovations and maintaining production bases and markets in emerging countries, as well as with Indian companies capable of global rollout, thereby contributing to the implementation of technologies throughout the world.

Through these activities, UMI will generate synergy in the strengths of India and Japan to promote the further development of both countries, and to strengthen our position as a platform for the creation of new business in Japan’s materials and chemistry industries.

IISc, FSID, Chief Executive, Prof. B. Gurumoorthy (Right) and Universal Materials Incubator Co., Ltd., Partner, Yosuke Yamamoto (Left)

About the Institute of Science (IISc)
Established in 1909 with the support of Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata, the founder of the Tata conglomerate, IISc is a public, deemed, research university for higher education and research in science, engineering, design, and management. and is ranked among the most prestigious academic institutions in India. Foundation for Science, Innovation and Development (FSID) is a section 8 company established by IISc and acts as a point of contact with industry and conducts various incubation initiatives aimed at social implementation of science and technology.
https://iisc.ac.in/

About Universal Materials Incubator Co., Ltd. (UMI)
Head Office: : Konwa Building 2F, 1-12-22 Tsukiji, Chuo Ward, Tokyo
Representative Director : Shosuke Kiba
Established: : October 6, 20151
UMI invests in outstanding new technologies and businesses in the fields of materials and chemicals that form the foundations for future industry, originating from both Japanese companies and academia, based on the vision of “Strengthening Japan’s engineering capabilities and cultivating an industry structure that can compete in the global arena, by fostering outstanding material/chemical companies.”

About UMI III Investment Limited Partnership
Head Office : Konwa Building 2F, 1-12-22 Tsukiji, Chuo Ward, Tokyo
Administrative member : Universal Materials Incubator Co., Ltd.
Formed : October 7, 2022
Total commitment amount: JPY 8.51 billion
Goal of formation : To invest in and foster venture companies in the materials and chemical industries
Investors: : 14 materials/chemical companies listed on the 1st Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange and two financial institutions